Table mat



H. A. DICK TABLE MAT Feb. 9, 1937.

Filed March 31, 1936 v rrmwn Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 31, 1936, Serial No. 71,848 In Great Britain January 2, 1936 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in table mats and more particularly to those sets of mats which are known in the trade as lunch sets. It is very usual to produce lunch mats in sets of 5 three comprised of a large center mat with separate side mats of smaller dimensions. These three mat sets have the disadvantage in use that they are constantly being pushed out of proper relation to one another on the table. The

members of the sets when put away become parted and when the table is relaid they have to be resorted.

An object of the present invention is to retain the mats of a lunch set in spaced relation to each 15 other so that the side mats are not pushed away from the center mat in use or the mats of the set dispersed when out of use.

The invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:-

20 Figure 1 shows a plan view of a fabric mat set of ornamental character with the side mats connected to the centre mat by fabric straps.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the fabric mat set shown in Figure 1, with the side mats superim- 25 posed on the centre mat, and V Figure 3 shows an under view of the mat set shown in Figure 1 with the side mats connected to the centre mat by extensible straps.

According to the present invention the mem- 30 bers of each set are connected together so that the three mats are always placed in position in proper relation to each other on the table and are held in the desired relation throughout the meal. When the table is cleared the side mem- 35 bers may be turned back and superposed over the centre mat, thus allowing of each set being put away together in a small space in a drawer or the like place, and being immediately at hand when the table is laid and. the mats are placed in position on the table. Any convenient form of connection between the members may be employed.

It will be understood that the mats may be of 45 circular or of any other desired form or shape and that they may be produced onany fabrics including lace for all napery purposes.

Although I have illustrated and described my invention as applied to fabric mats, it will be 50 understood that the invention is applicable to and includes mats of a solid material such as cork or asbestos, connected to form a mat set by flexible straps which will allow of the side mats being turned back on the centre mat and 55 superimposed thereon when the mat set is out of use. Alternatively such mat sets may be produced in paper.

In the ornamental fabric mat set shown in the drawing the side mats 2 are respectively connected with the centre mat 3 by a pair of straps 5 4 well spaced apart formed of the same fabric as the mats.

Instead of the pairs of straps shown in the drawing the connecting means may be in the form of single straps of any desired width, or a set of three or more narrow straps.

In Figure 3 of the drawing I show the straps of fabric mat set in an extensible form. In the construction shown the centre mat has permanently connected therewith pairs of straps 4 with their free ends adapted to be passed through loops on the undersides of the side mats and then turned back through loops 6 on the undersides of the said straps 4. The construction is such that the relation between a side mat and the centre mat may be instantaneously altered by pulling lightly on the side mats or pulling on the free ends of the straps.

Although I have described sets of three mats because these are usual, it will be understood that sets comprised of any number of connected mats are within scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A table mat comprising a center mat, a plurality of side mats spaced apart from said cen- 3o ter mat when in use and flexible straps connecting said side mats to the center mat and adapted to hold them in the desired spaced relation to said center mat and to be turned back with said side mats and superimposed over said center mat when out of use.

2. A table mat comprising a center mat, a plurality of side mats spaced apart from said center mat when in use and pairs of fabric straps respectively connecting said side mats to the center mat and adapted to hold them in the desired spaced relation to said center mat and to be turned back with said side mats and superimposed over said center mat when out of use.

3. A table mat comprising a center mat, a plurality of side mats spaced apart from said center mat when in use, flexible straps connecting said side mats to the center mat and adapted to hold them in the desired spaced relation to said center mat and to be turned back with said side mats and superimposed over said center mat when out of use, and means for shortening or lengthening said connecting straps to alter the relation of the side mats to the center mat.

HECTOR ALEXANDER DICK. 

